OttawaStart's Weekly Event Round-Up: Writers Fest, Gino Vanelli, Cuban Missiles, Stripper Zombies, more...

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   Ming Wu.
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Here are our contributors' picks for the best local events in Ottawa this week. This list is also published every Wednesday night. You can bookmark this link for easy access: http://ottawastart.com/weekly

_ (For more Halloween events this week, please visit our Ottawa Halloween Guide… ) _

** Thursday-Tuesday, October 25-30: Ottawa International Writers Festival **

I’d like to recommend every event at this festival. But from among the gems, I’d suggest Be the Change, a conversation with authors Tim Ward ( _ Zombies on Kilimanjaro: A Father/Son Journey Above the Clouds _ ) and Tzeporah Berman ( _ This Crazy Time: Living Our Environmental Challenge _ ) on Saturday, Oct. 27 at 8:30 p.m.; and Long Story Short, featuring story writers Nadine McInnis, Miranda Hill and Steven Heighton, on Sunday, Oct. 28 at 8:30 p.m.

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** ** Thursday, October 25: Gino Vanelli at Centrepointe Theatre **

I’m not actually going myself. But just typing his name on my screen made “Black Cars Look Better in the Shade” start going through my head. And I Just Wanna Stop. So I thought I’d share. Oh, and I see there are seats left, so if you are a fan, Wild Horses probably couldn’t keep you away.

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** ** Thursday, October 25: Delhi 2 Dublin and Zoo Legacy **

Head over to Mavericks to catch Delhi 2 Dublin and Zoo Legacy. The Vancouver band which defines itself as a celtic punjabi electronica music group will be performing live alongside Ottawa’s own alternative hip-hop group Zoo Legacy. A guaranteed great night of music! Check out the Facebook event page for more details.

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** ** Thursday, October 25: An Evening of Thann & Yoga **

Adi Shesha Yoga’s 4th Year Anniversary and official launch of the THANN Pop-up Store at Adi Shesha Yoga Zone in Wellington West. All guests are invited to try the yoga classes and Yoga on the Wall demos, please dress appropriately.

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** ** Friday, October 26: The 2012 Bywords John Newlove Poetry Award ** **

** At the Ottawa International Writers Festival, Knox Presbyterian Church, 120 Lisgar (at Elgin). Admission is free. ** ** Named after Prairie poet John Newlove, who lived in Ottawa for the last 20 years of his life, the prize is awarded to a poet for an oustanding poem published on bywords.ca between September and August.  The judge for this year’s award is the multi-talented Hamilton writer Gary Barwin. Join us for the launch of Miss Canada (International) by rob mclennan, the 2011 recipient of the John Newlove Poetry Award. Featuring readings by this year’s award recipient and honourable mentions, plus music by Neil Gerster! I will be hosting.

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** ** Friday, October 26: ** ** Sailing, Hailing & Hairin’ **

** COUNTRY ROCK! ** Ottawa’s dreamy seasoned long-locked rocker, Chris Landry, docks his ship alongside his Seasick Mommas and their banjo bliss, country-folk rock at the Elmdale Tavern (1084 Wellington Street West). Joined by the Long Distance Runners from Newfoundland and Sweet Mack from Toronto, songs set sail 9pm, $8. The wiz of band names, Landry’s crafting another band called the Glorious MoonRockets that will launch their new rock-based EP next month (Nov 10) at Atomic Rooster with Plaster Babies. ** PUNK ROCK! ** Motorin’ along, Ottawa’s favourite Fourstroke headline about 11pm at Cafe Dekcuf (221 Rideau Street). Doors rev up at 8pm with International Maniacs Institute and Carvello for $10; $5 if you’re wearing gore, a costume or your Pussy Riot mask. ** RAUCOUS ROCK! ** Fan of Fubar ? Dig on Deaner’s cameo appearance in this Diemonds video! Take on the night with Toronto hair metal-rawk rockers DIEMONDS at the Ottawa Halloween Bash featuring Black Stone Hearts, HELLbros !

** Friday-Sunday, October 26-28: Ottawa Art Expo **

An exhibition of artists from the Ottawa region displaying their work over the course of the weekend. Admission is free and it’s a good chance to view a lot of great artwork under one roof.

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** ** Friday, October 26: Silent horror movie + live piano at Gaia Java **

Pianist John Chmaj accompanies a screening of “The Cabinet of Dr Caligari”, a 1920’s silent horror film at Gaia Java Coffee Company in Stittsville. It’s free but seating is limited. The film is being billed as “one of the early horror masterpieces of the silent cinema”.

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** ** Saturday, October 27: Trick or Treat with the Mayor **

This has been an annual event for my family for years. Go trick or treating through a haunted city hall and meet Mayor Jim Watson (will he be in costume?). Kids can decorate miniature pumpkins and take part in other spooky events. There will also be a horse-drawn hay ride in Marion Dewar Plaza.

The event runs from 5:00 PM to 7:30 PM. Admission to the party is a donation to the Ottawa Food Bank Baby Supply Cupboard.

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** ** Saturday, October 27: Watson’s Mill **

There’s a lot going on at Watson’s Mill in Manotick this Saturday. First, from 6:30pm to 9pm the Mill is holding a show in their Raise The Roof Series featuring Ian Tamblyn at nearby Manotick United Church. The Raise The Roof Series is raising money to fix the leaking roof at the Mill.  Tickets are $20/adult, $10/child (under 12), and $50/family and are available now at Watson’s Mill or Manotick Office Pro or email mcgovet@rogers.com .

If you want something a little more spooky, then at 7pm visit the Mill and learn about the process, the research, and the tools of the trade used when investigating paranormal activities from OHPG President Daniel Touchette and members of his team. There will even be an opportunity to see actual footage from their last visit to the Mill! Tickets are currently available for sale at the Mill at $25 each, with proceeds going to the upkeep of Watson’s Mill. Don’t dawdle because there’s a limited number of tickets!

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** ** Saturday, October 27: Incident at the Bunker - A Zombie Adventure! **

The Haunted Walk of Ottawa and The Diefenbunker are partnering together to present, “Incident at the Bunker: A Zombie Adventure!” this Halloween Season. Guests will be led on an interactive adventure with the undead, deep inside the labyrinth that is the Cold War Museum.

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** ** Saturday, October 27: Rose Cousins at the NAC **

Rose Cousins is performing at the NAC this Saturday as part of the NAC Presents series. Here’s a track from her newest album. Also, here’s my shameless plug. CKCU’s annual funding drive is on right now and we could really use your support. Check www.coolckcu.com for more details.

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** ** Saturday, October 27: Andrea Martin’s One-Woman Show “Final Days! Everything Must Go!!” **

Andrea Martin is one Canadian celebrity who seems to pop up everywhere - from Sesame Street to Jimmy Neutron, from Disney’s Anastasia to Tony Awards on Broadway, and of course SCTV. Heard of Big Fat Greek Wedding? Deep Space Nine? The Simpsons? She’s Apu’s mother for heaven’s sake! So if any person on the planet can fill up Centrepointe Theatre’s little stage for a couple hours, it’s Martin.

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** ** Sunday, October 28: Thirteen Days In October - 50th Anniversary of the Cuban Missile Crisis **

On the 50th anniversary of the Cuban Missile Crisis, check out Thirteen Days in October at the Diefenbunker, a series of talks that reflect on the event of the Cuban Missile Crisis, experiences during this time, and how we can use this history to inform current and future generations on the Cold War and how it relates to our life today.

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** ** Wednesday, October 31: The Rob Frayne Dream Band at the NAC Fourth Stage **

It’s difficult to overestimate how important Rob Frayne has been to the Ottawa jazz scene: as a saxophonist, keyboard player, composer, and founding member of groups like Chelsea Bridge. Sidelined for a few years, he’s now back in the scene, and is bringing 15 well-known Ottawa, Toronto, and Montreal musicians to the Fourth Stage to play his new compositions – including the infrequently-heard-here Mike Murley and Jim Vivian. There’s also a show November 1.

_ – Alayne McGregor, OttawaJazzScene.ca _

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** ** Wednesday, October 31: Zombie Strippers Halloween Show **

For Halloween, head over to Babylon for the third Zombie Strippers Halloween Show presented by Rockalily Burlesque. The event will present music by Sound of Lions and DJ Lowpass and include burlesque, drag, pole dancing, hooping, belly dancing and vaudeville performances. There will be prizes for best zombie costumes so do come prepared if you plan to attend this event.

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** Have a great week! **

** See also: ** Ottawa Events Guide

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